~ Side effects from anti-anxiety meds (Lamictal)~

I have been taking Lamictal for quite awhile now and ever since I started it my writing has been shaky and terrible. My doctor put me on Propanalol, which didn't seem to work. So, on my own, I reduced my Lamictal from 2 to 1 tablets per day (going only 1/4 tab. at a time), and my writing is much improved, but not totally normal. My doctor in another town and state told me that Lamictal did cause the shakiness and she also went with the propanalol. I don't see my doctor for another 4 weeks to tell him about this. Is there anything that is more effective for this reaction than propanalol? Thanks much. Barb

My nonverbal daughter, autism, epilepsy is titrating from 200( after 9 minutes seizure and one after in ambulance) to 300 XR brand name at 25 mg increase every week but seems especially sad, just no interest in doing simple things, like puzzle, wordsearch books.. She is low functioning on autism spectrum but just seems lifelessNo more seizures past week but if Lamictal for bipolar will she just get more depressed as dose goes up?We had a cheery, happy engaged daughter, now not soAlso takes Seroquel and Buspar, has for yearsAfter disaster with Zonisamide we hoped this drug would work .She was on Dilantin for many years but always had to go to lab for levels, adjust the doses..She can't talk but everyone sees the difference but doctors only want seizure control..Thanks to all in this group !

My nonverbal daughter, autism, epilepsy is titrating from 200( after 9 minutes seizure and one after in ambulance) to 300 XR brand name at 25 mg increase every week but seems especially sad, just no interest in doing simple things, like puzzle, wordsearch books.. She is low functioning on autism spectrum but just seems lifelessNo more seizures past week but if Lamictal for bipolar will she just get more depressed as dose goes up?We had a cheery, happy engaged daughter, now not soAlso takes Seroquel and Buspar, has for yearsAfter disaster with Zonisamide we hoped this drug would work .She was on Dilantin for many years but always had to go to lab for levels, adjust the doses..She can't talk but everyone sees the difference but doctors only want seizure control..Thanks to all in this group !

My nonverbal daughter, autism, epilepsy is titrating from 200( after 9 minutes seizure and one after in ambulance) to 300 XR brand name at 25 mg increase every week but seems especially sad, just no interest in doing simple things, like puzzle, wordsearch books.. She is low functioning on autism spectrum but just seems lifelessNo more seizures past week but if Lamictal for bipolar will she just get more depressed as dose goes up?We had a cheery, happy engaged daughter, now not soAlso takes Seroquel and Buspar, has for yearsAfter disaster with Zonisamide we hoped this drug would work .She was on Dilantin for many years but always had to go to lab for levels, adjust the doses..She can't talk but everyone sees the difference but doctors only want seizure control..Thanks to all in this group !

minajo,
I'm not in this group but with the enormous extended family I have (87 first cousins), I have several relatives who suffer from seizures, including a brother.
I am truly sorry your daughter has such challenges, as you must also have, parenting her. I deeply feel for you.
Have you asked your daughter's doctor(s) about TMS - Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation? Over the past four years, I've completed three cycles of TMS to treat severe depression. Several anti-depressants (I've tried 12-14) worked for a while but not permanently. TMS is noninvasive and it's brought me back to life three times! From my understanding, TMS was originally used to treat seizures and it was "discovered" that it took away patients' depression as well. The description you give of your daughter definitely sounds as though she's a very depressed girl. Some of her medications may help, but it seems as though taking too many medications may be harming her. I took Lamictal with Cymbalta to treat depression and it didn't cause me to be more depressed. In any event, talk with your daughter's physicians about TMS. Also research TMS to familiarize yourself with it. I wish you and your daughter the best life has to offer! May she heal and bring your family peace and relief!

Thank you for your kind and supportive words! I doubt my daughter could do the TMS, first as her epileptologist wouldn't order and secondly, she pulls off leads just for EEG!
We might have turned corner with Lamictal, as she reached 250 mg she has seemed calmer, no seizures and now titrating to 300 with biweekly additional 25 mg, then the lab to see level.. as with Dilantin she needs to be on high end of " normal" range to prevent seizures..
Her g . i. system is still out of whack from the colonic interposition and have to be careful with drugs that cause constipation..
So her comorbid of autism/ epilepsy remain a huge challenge. she needs 24/7 supervision, care and i trust her team if 2:1 caregivers in licensed carehome.. they are very familiar with seizures as 3 of the 6 residents gave epilepsy
I just try to stay very involved but as a 76 year old mom with my issues its getting harder!
Such a great support group here, with my daughter being nonverbal it lets me get answers from " typical" users of drugs for epilepsy!. Thank you to all!!!

My nonverbal daughter, autism, epilepsy is titrating from 200( after 9 minutes seizure and one after in ambulance) to 300 XR brand name at 25 mg increase every week but seems especially sad, just no interest in doing simple things, like puzzle, wordsearch books.. She is low functioning on autism spectrum but just seems lifelessNo more seizures past week but if Lamictal for bipolar will she just get more depressed as dose goes up?We had a cheery, happy engaged daughter, now not soAlso takes Seroquel and Buspar, has for yearsAfter disaster with Zonisamide we hoped this drug would work .She was on Dilantin for many years but always had to go to lab for levels, adjust the doses..She can't talk but everyone sees the difference but doctors only want seizure control..Thanks to all in this group !

To all who are following my desperate need for answers for my nonverbal, autistic, epileptic daughter she is now at target dose 300 mg.. went from dilantin, to zonisamide which probably causedimpaction leading to hospitalization, then sub therapeutic on lamictal at 150,status epilepticus in trauma centerIsn't sleeping ( on melatonin, trazadone a big no no!) aggressive, in residential carehome with 2:1 staff but needing Ativan .. Prior neuro didn't want Dilantin changed so discharged her but she has epileptologist who ordered rhe zonisamide, now LamictalStill having g. i. issuesCare home is very good but they are at wits end, as i am as her mother..She gets extremely aggressive with attempts to even go to lab, pulls out IVs, needs restraint in hospital,What to do?Any lamictal users please help!Thank you

To all who are following my desperate need for answers for my nonverbal, autistic, epileptic daughter she is now at target dose 300 mg.. went from dilantin, to zonisamide which probably causedimpaction leading to hospitalization, then sub therapeutic on lamictal at 150,status epilepticus in trauma centerIsn't sleeping ( on melatonin, trazadone a big no no!) aggressive, in residential carehome with 2:1 staff but needing Ativan .. Prior neuro didn't want Dilantin changed so discharged her but she has epileptologist who ordered rhe zonisamide, now LamictalStill having g. i. issuesCare home is very good but they are at wits end, as i am as her mother..She gets extremely aggressive with attempts to even go to lab, pulls out IVs, needs restraint in hospital,What to do?Any lamictal users please help!Thank you